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Review:

Week 1- Joy can be found in what trials can produce in us.  God wants us to not lack anything, but to be growing in maturity.  James 1:1-4

Week 2- When we do lack something, especially wisdom for navigating trials, we are to ask of God for help.  We ask, believing that God will provide, and acknowledging where our doubts hinder us. 

Week 3- (today) James is going to give us a new way to look at your trials from the perspective of God verses what is common to man.

Read James 1:2-11

James addresses two classes of people within the church—The poor and the rich.  He challenges each group on how they see themselves amid the trial. 

Which charge by James is applicable to you—the charge for the rich or for the poor?

If you are American, you are most likely rich. 

• 39% of the world’s millionaires are American. Credit Suisse Global Wealth
  • China is second at 9.9% and Japan is third at 5.4%.
• 31% of global wealth is American. Credit Suisse Global Wealth
• The bottom 10% of America is wealthier than 70% of the world. Forbes
• Our bottom 5% in America is as rich as the top 5% in India, the most populated country in the world. Forbes

I give this to qualify why I will emphasize the charge of James to the rich person more than the poor person. 

Those who are poor and going through a trial should celebrate their high position in God’s Kingdom. (9)

• On this earth, being poor is a disadvantage.
  
  
• In God’s Kingdom the poor are raised up and on equal footing.
  
  
• The poor are also blessed to be more aware of heavenly things since earthly things are not encouraging. Luke 6:20 “Blessed are the poor for theirs is the Kingdom.”

A rich person going through a trial should boast in their humbling because they are reminded that they are in need of God. (10)

• Jesus warned of being consumed with pursuing worldly wealth as your security. Luke 12:13-21
  • A young rich man more concerned about his inheritance on earth than his standing with God.
  • Warning about spending so much effort in building barns only to die spiritually bankrupt.

• Jesus warns us that money is a master, and God will not play second fiddle. Matthew 6:19-24
  • Poor investment strategy to choose earthly things over heavenly things.
  • You will have to choose as you will hate one and love the other.
  • You will be devoted to one and despise the other intruding upon the other.

• Jesus gives it to us straight that it is difficult for a rich man to come to Jesus. Matthew 19:16-26
  • Camels are not meant to be sent through the eye of a needle. It would take a powerful being with incredible skill and much time.
  • Money can convince us that we are invincible and immune to tragedy, death, or sickness.
  • Money can lull you into thinking you need no help with life.
  • Money can convince you this earth is your home and living here is better.

James 1:9-11 (MSG)
“When down-and-outers get a break, cheer! And when the arrogant rich are brought down to size, cheer! Prosperity is as short-lived as a wildflower, so don’t ever count on it. You know that as soon as the sun rises, pouring down its scorching heat, the flower withers. Its petals wilt and, before you know it, that beautiful face is a barren stem. Well, that’s a picture of the “prosperous life.” At the very moment everyone is looking on in admiration, it fades away to nothing.”

Trials are the great equalizer on earth. Trials do not show favoritism to the amount of your wealth. (11)

• Trials comes to us all.
  
  
• Death becomes us all.

Trials remind us that we are all in need of God’s saving grace. 

Three steps to loosen the grip of wealth reliance.

1. Ask God, “what is the truth about you and money?”
   
   
2. Invite God to be master of the revealed spaces that “money” has ruled you.
   
   
3. Where can generosity, beyond the tithe, become more of a practice in your life?

As a rich person, I celebrate the reminders that trials bring that we truly need Jesus.